Dr. Xavier Noronha, Class of '57

by Paul Nazareth

To those who know Xavier, he was a millionaire – not in the dollar sense – his heart was made of gold, he loved all his friends, was very polite, and considerate, and above all he was a scholar. In short he was a “scholar and a gentleman’ with a photographic memory.

Xavier was my life long school friend way back in primary school at the Dr. Ribeiro Goan School, Nairobi. We parted after high school when he went on his journey to higher education which took him to St. Xavier´s in Mumbai, London University, Oxford University, University of Toronto, the Sorbonne, Brock University, and the State University of New York where he obtained his Ph.D.

Dr. Xavier Noronha's card Xavier came to Canada in 1968 with his wife Angela and son Trevor who was only 9 months old and settled in St. Catharines. When we met again in Canada in 2000 he was still very warm, polite and considerate but his talent and accomplishments astounded me.

Xavier´s teaching career began in Nairobi, Kenya, where he became the Vice-Principal of Karen Primary School, and ended after eighteen years as Principal of various schools in St. Catharines.

Xavier´s taste for music was classical; he would spend hours playing on his Baby Grand Piano. On hearing a recording of music, he could identify both the composer and the musician playing the piece.

It is amazing how he stretched the days to find time for his hobbies:

Model Railways: Steam engines was his passion. Xavier with his wife Angela, sons Trevor and Konrad converted the basement of their St. Catharines home into a Model Railway Yard. It was an artistic setting and he knew each and every one of his stream engines. We would spend hours talking about steam engines, and he always wanted to know more and more.

Xavier was an accomplished Artist and has a collection of his own artwork. He collected everything he found artistic – Holy Pictures, Rosaries, Stickers, And Miniature Pianos.

His other priceless possessions include a collection of beautiful and Rare Stamps from all over the world. It´s like an education in history and geography.

He also has a unique collection of Prayer Books, some very old. He would collect the books, bind them and put a small pouch inside the back cover so that you have a prayer book and a rosary in one.

After moving to Mississauga in 2004 and despite his poor health he always made it to the school reunions and community events and was delighted in being reunited with his various friends.

All of us who came in contact with Xavier are very fortunate to meet such a man of so many talents and accomplishments. We will miss his presence dearly, but will always talk of the legacy he left behind.

Xavier leaves behind his wife Angela, and sons Trevor and Konrad and their wives Immi and Penelope.

He said, “ All knowledge is from God ’

To God he has returned, and we shall forever miss him.

Courtesy: Goan Voice Canada, March 17, 2007